$4.5 Million in Grants Awarded for Special Education Parent Information, Training Centers
Archived Information


FOR RELEASE:
August 6, 2009
Contact: Jim Bradshaw, Press Officer
(202) 401-1576
or jim.bradshaw@ed.gov

The U.S. Department of Education today announced the award of more than $4.5 million in grants to operate 16 special education parent information and training centers in 14 states, including targeted centers for American Indians and military families.

Every state has at least one parent information center funded by the Department of Education to help improve results for children with disabilities. There are more than 104 centers nationwide.

“Research shows that all students, especially those with disabilities, are more successful when parents are part of the educational decision-making process,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “These centers help families who have children with disabilities access services and negotiate the complex framework of special education rules and regulations.”

Parent information centers provide parents with the training and information they need to work with special education professionals in meeting the early intervention and special needs of children with disabilities. Many parent information centers work closely with state and local school systems to engage parents in working collaboratively to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Common questions addressed by the centers include such topics as, “What kind of help is available if I suspect my child has a disability?” “Where can I go to get services?” And, “What are my rights?”

Five-year grants are used to operate the national network of centers with a portion staggered so that competitions are held yearly for the centers whose grants are expiring. In addition to parent information centers, the network includes Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs), which receive three-year grants to assist underserved populations such as Latino parents in Philadelphia and Native American parents in New Mexico. For a list of Education Department-funded special education parent information and training centers, visit http://www.taalliance.org/ptidirectory/index.asp.

The following is a list of the grants announced today and the states or audiences served, including the contact information for the local project directors and the amount of each award:

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Last Modified: 08/07/2009